Environment
On this page:
- Queenslanders’ vision for our environment
- Why environment is a foundation
- Spotlight on our environment
- What Queenslanders want
- Achieving success
- Get involved
Queenslanders’ vision for our environment
In 2044, Queenslanders will enjoy a natural environment that is the envy of the world. Our diverse landscapes, species and heritage will be conserved and protected. We will be internationally recognised for our approach in managing our environment and finite resources. While we strive to develop and strengthen our economy, we will remain focused on protecting our natural assets. Preserving these assets will be a large part of our economic success. Our growing cities will invite outdoor activity through creative use of green space and forward thinking. We will be world leaders in renewable energy and sustainable business practices, exporting our expertise around the globe.
An important pillar of protecting the environment is the appropriate management of waste. The Queensland Government outlines how it intends to manage waste now and into the future through both The Queensland Plan and the Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy (the Strategy). The Strategy’s vision is for Queensland to become a zero-waste society, where waste is avoided, reused and recycled to the greatest extent possible; and strategic investment in diverse and innovative resource recovery technologies and markets will produce high-value products and generate economic benefits for the state. This ties in with the targets of The Queensland Plan, specifically that Queensland is recognised as a world leader in environmental management and protection (T14) and Queensland has the best balance of environmental protection and economic development in Australia (T15).
Why environment is a foundation
Queensland is home to diverse, pristine environments including five World Heritage sites. We have a duty of care to preserve and protect our environment so it continues to underpin our lifestyle and economy. Read more on page 59 of The Queensland Plan.
Spotlight on our environment
What Queenslanders want
The following goals highlight what Queenslanders said they wanted to be, do or achieve (in relation to this foundation). These goals are accompanied by the outcomes Queenslanders said they want to see. Read detailed descriptions of success factors in The Queensland Plan.
| Goal | What does success look like? |
|---|---|
| G20 Our natural resources are managed effectively. |
Agricultural and mining industries are integrated, equitable, profitable and environmentally responsible. |
| Our environment remains a tourism and migration drawcard. | |
| G21 We protect the environment. |
Unique environments are protected and well maintained. |
| Our natural environment has economic value. | |
| Decisions are based on scientific evidence. | |
| Environmental education encourages personal responsibility. | |
| G22 We invest in and adopt sustainable and renewable solutions. |
Renewable energy will be the norm. |
| Business practices will be sustainable. | |
| G23 Urban sprawl is managed efficiently. |
Queensland cities will go up not out. |
| Integrated communities and green spaces are part of our long-term plan. |
Achieving success
The following targets and measures will help focus our efforts towards achieving success. The baselines have been sourced from existing data sets as a starting point for future reporting. Download The Queensland Plan for a detailed explanation of what the measures show.
T14 Environmental guardian
Queensland is recognised as a world leader in environmental management and protection.
T15 Environmental balance
Queensland has the best balance of environmental protection and economic development in Australia.
| Primary measure | Starting point or baseline | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Environmental footprintMeasures of households and industry environmental footprints. Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics 4610.0 (2013), Water Account Australia 2011–12. Source: Bureau of Resources and Energy Economics (2013), Australian Energy Statistics 2011–12. Source: Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (2014), Waste generation and resource recovery in Australia 2010–11. |
Water - industry
Baseline: Total water used by Industry in Queensland and Australia, 2011–12. Water - households
Baseline: Total water used by households in Queensland and Australia 2011–12. Energy
Baseline: Total energy consumed in Queensland and Australia 2011–12. Waste generation
Baseline: Total waste generated in Queensland and Australia, 2010–11. Waste recovery
Baseline: Total resource recovery rate in Queensland and Australia, 2010–11. |
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Environmental accounts for QueenslandIntegrated accounts on the health of the environment. Source: To be developed and based on the ABS Environmental – Economic Accounting system.
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Environmental accounts on the condition of our natural assets to be developed commencing 2014–15. |
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Environmental balanceProportion of Queenslanders satisfied with the balance between environment and economy in a state survey. Source: State survey.
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Baseline to be created for 2014–15 through state survey. |
| Secondary measure | Starting point or baseline | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nature conservationProportion of Queenslanders who participated in nature conservation activities at home or on a farm in the past 12 months. Source: ABS 4602.0.00.002 (2013), Community Engagement with Nature Conservation Survey 2011–12.
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Baseline: Participated in nature conservation activities at home or on a farm, 2011–12. |
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Visits to natureProportion of Queenslanders who visited a Queensland-protected area (national park, botanic garden) in the past 12 months. Source: ABS 4602.0.00.002 (2013), Community Engagement with Nature Conservation Survey 2011–12.
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52.7% adult visitors to national park or botanic garden. Baseline: Queensland adults visited a national park or botanic garden in the past 12 months, 2011–12. |
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Green spacesAmount and quality of dedicated green space in urban areas. Source: Survey of selected local governments.
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Baseline to be created for 2014–15 through survey of selected local governments. |
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BiodiversityNumber of threatened species in Queensland. Source: Queensland Government (2014), Nature Conservation Act 1992 Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 2006.
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Baseline: Number of Queensland threatened species, as at 1 July 2014. |
Return to the foundations landing page to understand the purpose of the targets and measures or to select another foundation area to learn about.
Get involved
There are many ways you can help achieve our vision. Visit our Get involved page to read a few suggestions related to each foundation area.
